Future Rakhine

Rakhine will become one of the top richest region in the future if the local goverment has decision making power because of Geography, Natural resources and economy. Rakhine state is a coastal geographic region in southern Myanmar. It comprises a long, narrow strip of land along the eastern coast of the Bay of Bengal and stretches from the Nāf estuary on the border of the Chittagong Hills area (in Bangladesh) in the north to the Gwa River in the south. The Arakan region is about 400 miles (640 km) long from north to south and is about 90 miles (145 km) wide at its broadest. The Arakan Yoma, a range that forms the eastern boundary of the region, to some extent isolates it from the rest of southern Myanmar.The coast has several sizable offshore islands, including Cheduba and Ramree. The region’s principal rivers are the Nāf estuary and the Mayu, Kaladan, and Lemro rivers. The main towns are coastal and include Sittwe (Akyab), Sandoway, Kyaukpyu, and Taungup. Long accessible only by sea, the Arakan region is now linked by air and road with the rest of the country. An all-weather road running through a pass in the Arakan Yoma connects Taungup with Pyè on the Irrawaddy River. According to geography, Rakhine State has mountain range, coastals, rivers, and Islands. There are the most important points to rich a region. If we can use them systematically, it is not difficult to become one of the most richest region. We need a good leader for our Rakhine State. If Rakhine local goverment has decision making power, it is sure that Rakhine will become one of the top richest region in the future. Rakhine State is rich in natural resoures. It has been noted in an eatlier section that natural resoure sale and profits are large relative to the economy. There are Petroleum, natural gas, hydropower, industrial minerals. According to Development In Time of Transition In Rakhine, the main sources of energy for cooking are firewood (88.9%), charcoal (7.7%), electricity (1.4%), kerosene (1%), other (0.7%), coal (0.3%), LPG (less than 0.1%), and biogas (less than 0.1%). The main sources of energy for lighting are candle (59%), electricity (12.8%), kerosene (11.8%), private generator (8.9%), battery (3.8%), solar energy (3.2%), other (0.3%), and private water mill (0.2%). The main sources of improved drinking water are protected well/spring (28.6%), tap water/piped (5%), tube well, borehole (3.4%), and bottled/purified water (0.8%). The main sources of unimproved drinking water are pool/pond/lake (50.3%), unprotected well/spring (5.5%), river/stream/canal (3.9%), waterfall/rainwater (1.8%), and other (0.7%). As you see, there are a lot of valuable natural resources in Rakhine State. So many country are interesting in Rakhine' resources. Although we have a lot of valuable natural resources, our Rakhine people are poor. Myanmar goverment monopolize Rakhine' natural resources. If Rakhine local goverment can decision and they can use systematically Rakhine' valuable natural resources, it is sure that our Rakhine state will become one of the top richest region in the future. Rakhine state is one of the poorest states in Myanmar . Over 69% of the population live in poverty.Rice is the main crop in the region, occupying around 85% of the total agricultural land. Coconutand nipa palm plantations are also important. Fishing is a major industry, with most of the catch transported to Yangon, but some is also exported. Wood products such as timber, bamboo and fuel wood are extracted from the mountains. Small amounts of inferior-grade crude oil are produced from primitive, shallow, hand-dug wells, but there is yet unexplored potential for petroleum and natural gas production. Tourism is slowly being developed. The ruins of the ancient royal town Mrauk U and the beach resorts of Ngapali are the major attractions for foreign visitors, but facilities are still primitive, and the transportation infrastructure is still rudimentary.While most places in Myanmar have chronic power shortages, in rural states like Rakhine the problem is greater. In 2009, the electricity consumption of a state of 3 million people was 30 MW, or 1.8% of the country's total generation capacity. In December 2009, the military government added three more hydropower plants, Saidin, Thahtay Chaung and Laymromyit, at a cost of over US$800 million. The three plants together can produce 687 MW but the surplus electricity will be distributed to other states and divisions. As you know, Rakhine State is rich in natural resoures. And then there are mountain range, coastals, rivers, and Islands. Although Rakhine State has a lot of valuable natural resources, Rakhine state is one of the poorest states in Myanmar. I can say surely that Rakhine will become one of the top richest region in the future if the local goverment has decision making power.